Job description

A full-time researcher position (SKO 1109) in cognitive neuroscience is available at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo.

RITMO is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway. This interdisciplinary centre focuses on rhythm as a structuring mechanism for the temporal dimensions of human life. Methods from musicology, psychology, neuroscience, and informatics are combined to study rhythm as a fundamental property that shapes and underpins human cognition, behavior and cultural expressions.

All RITMO researchers are co-located and work in a unique interdisciplinary constellation, with world-leading competence in musicology, psychology and informatics. It is expected that all members of the centre contribute to the general activities and collaborations within RITMO. The researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities in sound/video recording, motion capture, eye tracking, physiological measurements, various types of brain imaging (EEG, fMRI), and rapid prototyping and robotics laboratories.

More about the position

The researcher will work on projects using invasive electrocorticography (ECoG) and scalp EEG to understand the network dynamics underlying prediction and cognitive control functions in the human brain. High-density ECoG will be recorded from patients with medically refractory epilepsy undergoing intracranial electrophysiological monitoring for seizure detection (and functional electrical stimulation mapping). The project is carried out in collaboration with Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley (USA).

The researcher is expected to be involved in all aspects of the research, including experimental design, data collection, signal analysis, and publishing results related to the project aims. The researcher will be expected to train and supervise research staff associated with neuroscience research at RITMO in methodology.

The appointment is for a period of two years, starting 01.02.2020. The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network of RITMO and contribute to its development.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in neuroscience, psychology, bioengineering or a related field. The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile for the post.
• a strong background in:
  • cognitive experimental designs
  • programming in Matlab
  • processing of electrophysiological signals using FieldTrip or other toolboxes for advanced analysis of oscillatory dynamics
  • experience in analyzing Stereo EEG/ECoG datasets
  • advanced statistics
• Prior experience conducting research on neurological/neurosurgical patients is considered an added advantage.
• Interest in music and knowledge of music theory is also considered an advantage.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

The researcher will be part of a multidisciplinary team and is expected to collaborate with other team members and to contribute to the group’s activities at large. He/she will interact with patients, clinical staff, and graduate students, and must speak a Scandinavian language and/or have excellent spoken and written English skills. International candidates are welcome to apply.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• the applicant’s scientific merit, innovation, and research-related relevance to the objectives of RITMO
• the quality of the research outline and relevance for RITMO
• the applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out his/her research within an allotted time frame and contribute to the research objectives of RITMO
• excellent collaboration skills and the ability to successfully join in academic teamwork within and across disciplines

We offer

• salary NOK 523 200-605 500 depending on qualifications
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application, preferably in pdf format:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications with links to full version of published papers)
• Research outline, including relevant research questions and theoretical and methodological approaches (approximately 2-3 pages, see template for research outline)
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Diplomas, certificates, doctoral thesis and other academic works will be requested later.

Please note that all documents must be in English.

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Head of Administration Anne Cathrine Wesnes, phone number: +47 22 85 44 89, e-mail: a.c.wesnes@imv.uio.no
• HR Adviser Hilde Kristine Sletner, e-mail: h.k.sletner@hf.uio.no

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